Apparatus for filling containers with measured charges of material



Dec. 23, 1947. P. E. PEARSON ET AL. 2,433,061

APPARATUS FOR FILLING CONTAINERS WITH MEASURED CHARGES OF MATERIAL Filed July 25, 1943 15 Sheets-Sheet 1 emuwk N \QN Dec. 23, 1947. P. E. PEARSON ET AL APPARATUS FOR FILLING CONTAINERS WITH MEASURED CHARGES OF MATERIAL l5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed July 23, 1945 G X Q W QR 0 Q N W O Q G 0U I \w j. I 3% m w 1? 63, K I I o KN .7 1 v Q1. o w 0 Y... I. NI.) 0. xNmf a o o \\\IVMV I b? s a 4 W E m 0 o a I N Nm;\ O r I mwlm \NA 0 luv 1| -71 J l O Rm o o W o. aw 0 .Q I N C v QQN N. W\ :J O O QNU Nw N wwwwm W N o J T Q N Dec. 23, 1947.

P. E. PEARSON ET AL Filed July 23, 1943 15 Sheets-Sheet 3 Dec. 23, 1947.

P. E. PEARSON El AL APPARATUS FOR FILLING CONTAINERS WITH MEASURED CHARGES OF MATERIAL 15 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed July 23, 1945 Dec. 23, 1947. P. E. PEARSON El AL 2.433.061

APPARATUS FOR FILLING CONTAINERS WITH MEASURED CHARGES OF MATERIAL Filed July 23, 1943 15 Sheets-Sheet 5 Dec, 23, 1947. P. E. PEARSON ET AL 2.433.061

APPARATUS FOR FILLING CONTAINERS WITH MEASURED CHARGES OF MATERIAL Filed July 23, 1945 15 sheets-sheet 6 I v': v Im I" Q MGDJ/IM w Q m a Dec. 23, 1947. P. E. PEARSON ET AL 2,433,061

APPARATUS FOR FILLING CONTAINERS WITH MEASURED CHARGES 0F MATERIAL Filed July 25, 1943 15 Sheets-Sheet 7 2 205.21, f I P 1 2.96

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APPARATUS FOR FILLING CONTAINERS WITH MEASURED CHARGES OF MATERIAL Filed July 2s, 1943 i5 Sheets-Sheet a I O J .4 ug}, v Z

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P. E. PEARSON ET AL APPARATUS FOR FILLING CONTAINERS WITH MEASURED CHARGES OF MATERIAL Filed July 23, 1943 15 Sheets-Sheet 9 W QQ P. E. PEARSON ET AL 2,433,061

Dec. 23 1947.

APPARATUS FOR FILLING CONTAINERS WITH MEASURED CHARGES OF MATERIAL Filed July 23, 1943 15 Sheets-Sheet l0 Dec. 23, 1947. P. E. PEARSON ET AL APPARATUS FOR FILLING CONTAINERS WITH MEASURED CHARGES OF MATERIAL Filed July 25, 1943 15 Sheets-Sheet ll Dec. 23, 1947. P. E. PEARSON ET AL APPARATUS FOR FILLING CONTAINERS WITH MEASURED CHARGES OF MATERIAL Filed July 23, 1943 15 Sheets-Sheet l2 Dec. 23, 1947. P. E. PEARSON ET AL APPARATUS FOR FILLING CONTAINERS WITH MEASURED CHARGES OF MATERIAL Filed July 25, 1943 15 Sheets-Sheet l3 Dec. 23, 1947. p, PEARSON ET AL 2,433,061 APPARATUS FOR FILLING CONTAINERS WITH MEASURED CHARGES OF MATERIAL Filed July 25, 1945 15 Sheets-Sheet l4 Dec. 23, 1947. P. E. PEARSON ET AL.

APPARATUS FOR FILLING CONTAINERS WITH MEASURED CHARGES OF MATERIAL l5 SheetsFSheet 15 Filed July 25, 1943 Patented Dec. 23, 1947 APPARATUS FOR FILLING CONTAINERS WITH MEASURED CHARGES OF MA- TERIAL Paul E. Pearson and Alfred Trefl, Chicago, 111., assignors to Continental Can Company, Inc., New York, N. Y., a corporation of New York Application July 23, 1943, Serial No. 495,886 '7 Claims. (Cl. 226-458) ble to the filling of containers from a bulk sup-' ply of prepared meat product, but is applicable for the packing of other bulk materials.

An object of the invention is to provide apparatus of the kind referred to and in which the parts contactible by the material may readily be made accessible for cleaning without disassembling the apparatus.

Another object of the invention is to provide an apparatus of the character stated wherein there are included a rotatable turret, a plurality of filling units movable with the turret and each including a measuring spout and a plunger reciprocable therein for measuring and depositing fill charges into containers, a table movable with the turret and having openings therein through which the filling units operate, means for supportingcontainers in position for receiving fill charges from the filling units, means for operating the spouts and plungers, and devices for removing the spouts from the table openings and the plungers from the spouts for cleaning purposes, without disassembly of the units and their mountings.

Another object of the invention is to provide apparatus of the character stated including equipment for applying hot grease to the empty containers prior to their being filled and for applying hot greasev to the filling unit.

Another object of the invention is to provide cyclically operable filling apparatus of the character stated including mechanism for readily varying the measuring capacity of the several filling units simultaneously to condition the apparatus for filling containers of different sizes.

Another object of the invention is to provide an apparatus of the character stated in which there are included, in addition to the means for displacing the spouts and plungersfor cleaning purposes, means for individually adjusting the positions of the spouts and the plungers, and also means for collectively adjusting the relative po- 7 sitions ofthe spouts and plungers to vary the sizes of the fill charges measured thereby.

Another object of the invention is to provide in apparatus of the character stated means for feeding the fill to the spouts and includin a manifold engaging in sliding contact .with a face of the table and having a discharge mouth, and

means shiftably mounting the manifold for movement between an effective position with its mouth registering with the table openings and an ineffective position outwardly of the periphery of said table where it is readily accessible for cleaning purposes, said manifold and table having gibs automatically effective upon movement of the manifold to its eflective position to engage with the table and'the manifold respectively and hold the opposing faces thereof in effective sealing contact during movement of the table. A

Other objects will become apparent from a reading of the following description, the appended claims and the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a schematic view depicting a typical sequence of operations performed in practicing the method offllling containers in accordance with the invention;

Figure 2 is a vertical sectional view of apparatus embodying the invention, the section bein taken on the irregular line 2--2 of Figure 3.

Figure 3 is a view showing container feeding and filled container discharging mechanism in top plan, and a filling mechanism turret partly in section, filling units and operating mechanism therefor being omitted.

Figure 4 is an enlarged scale top view of the filling mechanism with some parts shown in plan and others in section at different planes as indicated by the lines a-a; bb;'cc; d--d; ee; and ;f--f in Figure 2.

Figure 5 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view on an enlarged scale, of mechanism for adjusting the height of cam means for varying the size of the charge to be placed in the containers, and for positioning parts of the filling units so as to facilitate their being cleaned.

Figure 6 is an enlarged scale fragmentary vertical sectional view on the line 6-6 of Figure 3 showing a manifold and filling mechanism associated therewith.

Figure 7 is an enlarged scale fragmentary sec- .tional view on the line 1-4 of Figure 3 showing a cut-oi! or charge trimming knife in elevation.

Figure 8 is a detail plan of the charge trimming knife.

Figure 9 is a section on ure 8. I

Figure 10 is an enlarged fragmentary top view partly in plan and partly in horizontal section, showing a main control clutch and associated driving and driven parts.

Figure 11 is an enlarged scale fragmentary vertical sectional view of drive transmitting the line 9--9 of Figmechanism including a safety or overload release clutch.

Figure 12 is an enlarged scale fragmentary vertical sectional view of mechanism including a container-carrying, turret-rotated pad. a transfer turret, container feeding and expanding means, and another safety or overload release clutch.

Figure 13 is a top plan view of the lower portion of the apparatus base, a gear transmission housing, control clutch operating mechanism and valve mechanism.

Figure 14 is a diagrammatic perspective view of the complete drive train gearing.

Figure 15 is a fragmentary top view, partly in plan and partly in section, of valve mechanism responsive to the positioning of a container at a predetermined location for effecting spraying of hot grease into the container.

Figure 16 is a view looking in the direction of the arrow IS in Figure 15, a mechanism cover being broken away so as to show cam operated valve mechanism in elevation.

Figure 17 (Sheet is a section on the line II-I'I of Figure 15.

Figure 18 is a schematic layout or diagram of fluid pressure means for operating the main control clutch.

Figure 19 is a schematic layout or diagram of hot grease conduits, compressed air conduits, grease spray'guns and controlling valves.

Figure 20 is a perspective view of an expander wheel.

Figure 21 (Sheet 4) is an enlarged scale fragmentary vertical sectional view of mechanism for reciprocating a spout and plunger.

Figure 22 is a top plan view of an adjustable cam section.

Figure 23 is a vertical section on the line 23-23 of Figure 22.

Figure 24 is a vertical section on the line 2424 of Figure 22.

Figure 25 is a vertical section on the line 25-25 of Figure 22.

Figure 26 is a development in elevation of the cam section shown in Figures 22 to 25 inclusive.

Figure 27 is a top plan view of a non-adustable cam section.

Figure 28 is a vertical section on the line 2828 of Figure 27.

Figure 29 is a vertical section on the line 29-29 of Figure 27.

Figure 30 is a development in elevationof the cam section shown in Figures 27 to 29 inclusive.

In practicing the improved method of filling containers in accordance with the invention, preformed measured charges of bulk material are inserted bodily in the containers. Figure 1 shows schematically an arrangement of parts for carrying out a preferred sequence of steps or operations for filling containers with bulk material,; such for example as prepared or processed meat. It will be understood, however, that the method may be used in the filling of containers with other materials.

Figure 1 indicates a plurality of filler units generally designated F and each comprising a spout I reciprocable through a guide opening 20. in a table 2, and an expeller plunger 3 mounted to reciprocate in the associated spout I. The table 2 is movable over and in sealing engagement with a meat manifold 4 having its mouth 5 facing upwardly for delivering meat into the measuring and filling units F. After each unit F receives the measured charge it moves past the manifold 4 and delivers the charge to a can or container 6. In commercial apparatus for carrying out the method, the table 2 may be circular and may be mounted on a rotatable turret. In the schematic showing of Figure 1, the table may be considered as a linear development of a rotatable table movable in the direction of the arrow 9. The table should be kept free from adhering meat or foreign matter so as to insure good sealing engagement with the meat manifold, and to this end a scraper I is positioned on the approach side of the manifold and in wiping engagement with the bottom of the table 2. In order to provide lubrication between the bottom surface of the table and the top of the manifold 4, a spray gun 8 is arranged to discharge hot fluid edible grease, for example lard, on the bottom face of the table and on the approach side of the manifold 4.

In a preferred commercial apparatus to be described hereinafter, a plurality of filling units is carried by the rotatable table and each of the units comprises a spout I and plunger 3. In considering Figure 1 as illustrating the method, the successive representations of units F will be treated as showing successive positions of a particular filling unit at different stages of the filling operation. Such positions are indicated by the numerals I to IX inclusive. Position X represents the relative positions of the filler spout I and expander plunger 3 when the parts are to be cleaned, it being understood that during normal cyclic operation, the parts are not moved to position X.

Beginning with position I, the filler spout I and the expander plunger 3 both have their lower ends fiush with the bottom of the table 2 as the unit F approaches the meat manifold 4. Just before the unit moves over the manifold, the bottoms of the spout and plunger and the adjacent lower surface of the table 2 are scraped clean by the scraper I and are then coated with hot lard delivered by the spray gun 8. The unit then moves to position II over the meat manifold and while moving across the manifold mouth 5, the spout I is held against vertical movement while the plunger 3 is retracted to the position shown at III. The meat in the manifold 4 is not inherently fluid or fiowable but is maintained under pressure so that as the plunger 3 is moving upwardly meat will be pressed into the cylinder space under the retreating plunger. By the time the unit has arrived at the right hand side of the manifold, the plunger will have moved to its fully retracted position as at III, and the spout will move horizontally across a knife 9 which will slice the meat off cleanly flush with the bottom end of the sleeve I.

When the unit F is moved to position IV a can, indicated at 6, will be placed under it in readiness to receive the measured charge of meat. Thereafter the can and unit are moved horizontally in registration with each other until the filling operation has been completed. While the can and unit are moving from position IV to position V, the spout I and plunger 3 are moved together into the can 6 until the lower end of the spout I is spaced slightly, for example about one-eighth inch, above the closed bottom end of the can. The spout is then stopped while the plunge is moved downwardly a little further so as to force meat laterally into the space between the can bottom end and the lower edge of the spout. The relative positions of the spout and plunger will then be as shown at VI.

After the spout has been stopped in its lowermost position as shown at V and VI, it is retracted until its bottom end moves to a position fiush with the bottomend f the plunger as shown at VII. While the spout is being retracted, the charge of meat will be held down in the can by the stationary plunger. 7

After the parts have reached the relative positions shown at VII the spout and plunger are moved down together a short distance in order to securely pack the meat in the can. such movement of the parts being terminated when they.

have reached the positions shown at VIII. The meat having thus been securely packed in the can, the spout and plunger will-both be moved upwardly until their lower ends are flush with the bottom of the table 2 as shown at IX in readiness to pass over the meat manifold again and perform another measuring and filling operation.

When it is desired to thoroughly clean the filling units F, the plunger 3 is moved. completely out of the spout I and the spout is moved above the table 2 as shown at X.

Figures 2 to 21 show a preferred embodiment of the invention in commercial apparatus adapted to continuously fill a succession of cans or containers with measured charges of bulk material. The apparatus shown by way of example is particularly suited for the filling of square or rec.- tangular cans, but apparatus embodying the invention may also be used for filling cans or ccntainers of other types.

In its general nature the apparatus includes conveyor mechanism A for feeding cans '6 to filling mechanism generally designated B incorporating a plurality of filler units F of the kind previously referred to. Cans filled by the units F are delivered to a discharge conveying mechanism C which carries them away from the filling mechanism B. All of the mechanism 'A, B and C may conveniently be mounted on a frame Ill.

The conveying mechanism A is carried on a frame extension or bracket II providing a feed table I2 on which the cans are placed for being moved toward the mechanism B by a conveyor chain I3. The chain I3 advances the cans into engagement with a timing screw I4 of a well known kind which spaces the cans properly and delivers them between a pusher feed chain I5 and stationary guide I6.

Inasmuch as in the filling of the cans the filler unit spouts I are to be inserted in the cans, it is approaching the filler mechanism B in inverted position, the arrangement being such that as soon as an inverted can is engaged by the wheel I1, the whole apparatus is stopped.

After each can 6 moves past the expander wheel I1, it travels under a spray gun 2| which delivers a spray of hot edible grease or lubricant, for ex- I ample lard, for coating the inside of the can. This prepares the can for receiving the meat, and also lubricates the can side walls so as to ease the sliding of a filler spout l down into the can.

After being sprayed with the hot grease, each can is carried further by the pusher chain I6 until it is engaged by a transfer turret 22 mounted on a shaft 23. The turret 22 is formed with can engaging fingers 24 which in cooperation with a fixed arcuate guide 25 deliver the can to one of a plurality of seats or pads 26 on a main filling turret 21 which is mounted to rotate on a thrust bearing 28 and radial bearings 29 on a fixed column 36 supported by the frame III. The

on the stems 40. The springs 4| urge the can important for'the cans to be shaped accurately so as to receive the filler unit spouts snugly. In

order to prevent the delivery of a, can whose sides r comprises a wheel I! rotatable on a shaft I8 and having a plurality of radial arms I9 formed with arcuate ends tapered at their sides as at 26. As each can moves under the wheel II, a pair of juxtaposed wheel arms I9 turns down into the can and the tapered sides 29 of the arms I9 force or press the can sides outwardly. This removes any dents which the can side walls may have. The arms I9 are dished inwardly at I 9a to provide clearance for passing over the can end walls as the wheel I! turns in time with travel of the can on the conveyor I3. As will be explained more fully hereinafter the expander wheel also serves to detect the presence of any can which may be cans M'e filled while moving on the turret 21 in the direction of the arrow h in Figure 3. After being filled, the cans are moved to a discharge turret 3| carried on a shaft 32. The turret 3| is provided with fingers 33 which engage the filled cans and move them along fixed arcuate guide 34 onto a discharge conveyor chain 35 which carries the filled cans away from the filling apparatus. The turret 2'! acts as a conveyor for movlngthe units F cyclically to the filling manifold 4. thence to a delivery station between the transfer turret 22 and the discharge turret 3! and thence back to the manifold.

The conveying mechanism A, the expander wheel, the filling mechanism 13, and the discharge conveying mechanism 0 are all driven in timed relation with each other by mechanism to be described hereinafter.

Referring now in more detail to the filling mechanism B, a rim 36 bolted to the turret 21 is formed with a plurality of circumferentially spaced guides 31 equipped respectively with bored liners 38. Sleeves 39reciprocable respectively in the liners 38 are bored to receive for sliding movements stems 49 which depend from the can pads 26 (see Figures 2 and 12). The sleeves 39 are counter-bored to accommodate springs 4| having their opposite ends seated respectively against the bottoms of thev counter-bores and shoulders 42 pads 26 upwardly with respect to the sleeves 39 and permit a cushioned yielding of the pads 26 downwardly. Relative axial movement between the sleeves and can pads is limited by the engagement of pins 43 anchored in the stems with the ends of slots 44 formed in the sleeves 33.

In operation, after a can is delivered on one of the pads 26 the can is moved in the direction of the arrow h in Figure 3. Before arriving at the discharge turret 3I, the pad 26 and supported can 6 are raised to position the can for having the charge of material inserted therein by a filling unit F. After receiving the material charge the pad 26 and can 6 are lowered to position the can at a level for being engaged by the discharge turret 3I. For raising the pads 26 each associated sleeve 39 is provided with a follower roller 45 cooperable with a stationary cation of the spouts I.

2 previously referred to is mounted as at 88 on the main conveyor turret 21. The table is formed with a plurality of circumferentially spaced guide openings 2a each of which is positioned directly above one of the pads 28. Each guide opening mounts for vertical reciprocation one of the spouts l which in turn mounts for independent vertical reciprocation an associated plunger 3.

For reciprocating the spouts I, each spout is connected at its upper end to a vertically extending arm 58 secured at its top to a sleeve or tube 5| mounted to slide vertically in a bearing 52 carried by a. table'53 bolted as'at 58 to the turret 21. Secured to the top end of each tube 8| is a sleeve 55 equipped with adjusting and lock nuts 58- having threaded engagement with the associated tube 5| for holding the sleeve 55 inadjusted position on the tube. Journaled on each sleeve 55 is a follower roller 51 cooperable with the groove in a non-rotatable cam 58. The cam 58 is keyed as at 58 to a guide sleeve 88 and is held on the sleeve '88 by a nut 8|. Normally the cam 58 rests on the top flange of a bearing member 52 secured to the top of the fixed column 38. The guide sleeve 58 is splined at 53 to the bearing 52 so as to be movable vertically with respect to the fixed column 38 but is maintained against rotation.

In operation, the turret 21 rotates the guide table 2, the table 53, the spouts the arms 58,

the tubes 5|, the sleeves 55 and the rollers 51 while the cam 58 remains stationary. The contour of the groove in the cam 58 is such as to move each spout I cyclically to the positions shown at I to IX inFigure 1.

The upper and lower limits of movement of the spouts I may be varied individually so as to assure proper positioning of the spouts with respect to the guide table 2 and the cans 8. For this purpose the nuts 55 may be turned and the sleeves 55 thus adjusted vertically relatively to the tubes 5|. The upper ends of the tubes 5| and the sleeves 55 are positioned inside of brackets 54 carried by the table 53. The brackets 54 are formed with access openings 55 through which a tool may be inserted for adjusting the nuts 55.

The plungers 3 are reciprocable in response to rotation of the turret 21 independently of recipro- Each plunger 3 is secured to the lower end of a rod 58 which extends vertically and for sliding movements through an associated tube 5|. A bracket 51 mounted on the top of each rod 58 is equipped with a follower roller 88 cooperable with grooves in a non-rotatable two-part cam generally designated 58.

In operation, the plungers 3, the rods 55, the brackets 51, and the rollers 58 move around the turret, the cam grooves moving the follower rollers 88 up and down so as to move the associated plungers 3 cyclically to the positions shown at I to IX inclusive in Figure 1.

In order that the elevation of the plungers 3 may be adjusted individually, each bracket 81 is adapted to be adjusted on the associated rod 86. As shown in Figure 21 (Sheet 4) each bracket 51 fits the associated rod 55 for vertical sliding movement. The rod 68 is shouldered as at 18 and is formed with a reduced end portion 1| on which an adjusting sleeve 12 is rotatably mounted. The sleeve 12 is exteriorly threaded as at 13 for engagement with an internally threaded bore in the bracket 51. The bracket 51 thus is suspended on the sleeve 12, the lower end of which abuts against and rests upon the rod shoulder 18. By turning the sleeve 12, the position of the bracket vertically with respect to the rod 88 can be changed. A lock nut 15 screwed on the sleeve 12 can be jammed against the top of the bracket 81 for preventing rotation of the adjusting sleeve 12 with respect to the bracket 61. Another lock nut 18 screwed onto a threaded portion 11 of the rod reduced end 1| can be tightened against the top of the adjusting sleeve 12 for preventing upward movement of the sleeve on the rod 88 and for preventing rotation of the sleeve on the rod 88. When the two lock nuts 15 and 18 are tightened, the bracket 51 is securely locked in adjusted position on the rod 58.

Iihe cam 58 is so constructed as to enable variation of the range of movement of all the plungers 3 in unison throughout a portion of the circumferential travel of the units F, to increase or decrease the capacity of the spouts I. The entire cam 68 also is adapted to be raised so as to lift the plungers 3 above the spouts and to lift the spouts above the table 2, but this is for facilitating cleaning of the parts and is not for varying or adjusting the capacity.

The cam 58 comprises an adjustable section 58a and a non-adjustable section 58b, details of which are shown in Figures 22 to 30 inclusive. The cam section 59b is fixed to a hub 18 which is splined at 18 (see Figure 5) on the guide sleeve 58. The hub 18 has threaded connection as at 88 with a shaft 8| extending through the column 38 and the guide sleeve 58 and joumaled at its lower end in a frame bearing 82. A collar 83 (see Figure 2) secured to the shaft rests upon a thrust bearing 84 which in turn is supported by the frame I 8 adjacent the bearing 82, thus supporting the shaft 8| against downward movement. Upward movement of the shaft is prevented by engagement with the bearing 82 of the hub 84 of a bevel gear 85 secured to the bottom end of the shaft. Rotation of the screw threaded upper end 88 of the shaft 8| in the threaded cam hub 18 causes the hub and the cam section 59b to be raised or lowered depending on the direction of rotation of the shaft. Means later to be described are provided for raising the adjustable cam section 58a when the non-adjustable section 58b has been raised by rotation of the shaft 8|.

When it is desired to vary the capacity of the units F, only the cam section 58a is adjusted vertically by rotation of a hand wheel 85 mounted above the housing cover 81. The cover is formed with bosses 81a secured to the non-adjustable cam section 6812 by screws 81b (see Figure 2). As shown in Figure 2 a spider 88 is connected to the cam section 58a by bolts 88 and spacers 88 extending through and being slidable with respect to the cam section 581). The spider includes a hub 8| (see Figure 5) fitted with a bearing liner 82 formed at its lower end with a flange 83.

A nut 84 screwed on the threaded upper end of the liner 82 cooperates with the flange 83 to hold the liner against vertical movement in the hub 8|. Preferably the liner is keyed to the hub as at 85, and is threaded internally for cooperation with the externally threaded lower end of a shaft 88 which is bored to receive the upper end of the shaft 8 88 in the cover 81 and a rim I88 on the shaft is engageable with the bottom of the cover boss 88. The hand wheel 85 is keyed to the shaft 85 as at |8| but is adapted to have slight axial movement with respect to the shaft 88. A wash- The shaft 85 extends up through a. boss markings is mounted on the the guide table 2. The rods I er I02 is interposed between the bottom or the hand wheel 36 and the top of the cover boss 00. A look wheel I03 has threaded engagement with the upper reduced end I04 of the shaft 00.

When it is desired to adjustthe vertical position of the cam section a, the lock wheel I03 is loosened so as to permit the hand wheel 33 to turn freely on the cover boss 00. The hand wheel 38 is then rotated in the desired direction, thereby raising or lowering the spider-88. by the cooperation of the threaded parts 93 and 02 with consequent changing of the elevation of the adjustable cam section No. This adjustment of the cam section 09a for varying the capacity of the units F will take placewithout any movement of the cam section 69b.

An indicator is provided for showing the adjustment of the cam section "a and therefore showing the capacity of th filling units F. In the form shown a plate I03 provided with scale cover 01 and a rod I 06 extending upwardly from the spider 33 and slidably through the-cover 81 carries a pointer I01 operatively associated with the scale plate I03.

When the'fllling units are to be cleaned the shaft BI is driven through the bevel gear 85 at the lower end of the shaft. The bevel gear 83 is in mesh with a bevel gear I08 on a shaft I 00rotatable by a crank IIO (see Figures 2 and 3). The crank H0 is turned to rotate the shaft 0| which by virtue of the threaded connection at 80 raises the cam section 69b. The top of the cam section 6% will then lift the spider and the adjustable cam section 69d which is connected to the spider by the screws 89. The cover 81, connected to the cam section tab by the bosses 81a and'screws 31b, also will be raised. Upward movement of the cam sections 69a and 891; will be continued until the top of the hub" engages collars III secured to the upper ends of rods II2 anchored at their bottom ends in the lower cam 50. Thereafter further upward movement of the cam sections 69a and 6912 will lift the rods II2 so as to raise the bottom cam 58 and move the spouts I above I2 and collars III thus constitute lost motion'connecting means for lifting the spouts I above the table 2 after the plungers 3 have been withdrawn from the spouts.

Upward movement of the cams 58 and Gila-69b is limited by engagement of the lower cam 58 with collars I I3 on the top of stop rods II4 secured at their lower ends in the stationary bearing 02.

The adjustable cam section 690. is illustrated in detail in Figures 22 to 26 inclusive. It includes a top 300 drilled and tapped at 30I for receiving the screws 80 which secure the section 89a to the spider 88. Surfaces 302 are finish machined for sliding engagement with a cylindrical part of the cam section 69b. The groove 303 in the cam section 69a. is flared at its ends 304 and 305 so that the rollers 68 will pass from the groove in cam section 69b freely into the groove 303 and vice versa when the cam section 00a is in different positions vertically with respect to the cam section 6%.

The non-adjustable cam section 69b is shown in detail in Figures 27 to 30 inclusive. Its top 400 is drilled at 40I for accommodating the spacers 90 interposed between the spider 88 and the adjustable cam section 69a. The top 400 also is drilled and tapped at 402 for receiving the screws 87b by which the cam section 69b is secured to the cover bosses 81a.

A cylindrical part 403 is smoothly nnished on its outer surface for sliding engagement with the finished surfaces 302 o the cam section 03a. An overhanging part 404 integral with the cylindrical part 403 is formed with a cam groove 40! having flared ends 403 and 40! adapted to match up with the flared ends of the groove 303 in the cam section a.

The groove 303 in the cam section 60a includes that portion of the whole cam surface 303-405 which the follower rollers 03 engage when the plungers 3 are fully retracted. Thus. vertical adjustment of the cam section 6341 will vary the extent of retraction of the plungers and consequently will vary the capacity of the spouts I.

As shown in Figures 3, 6 and 'l the manifold 4 has its mouth 0 formed. arcuately and opening upwardly so as to be passed over by the table 2 and spouts I. The manifold includes a neck II! adapted to be connected to a commercial meat stufl'er (not shown) of any suitable or conventIonal kind. Asshown in Figure 6 a gib IIB secured to the supply manifold by bolts III is adapted to extend over the marginal portion of the table 2 for holding the table down on the manifold against the pressure of the material in g the manifold. For the same purpose a gib H0 C are all driven table 2 slides under an overhanging flange on the'manifold. Preferably the manifold has its bottom I20 removable so as to facilitate cleaning.

As shown in Figure 3 the whole supply manifold assembly'is I2I so that it may be swung from under the table 2 to facilitate cleaning. A latch device I22 is provided for maintaining the manifold in operative position.

The location of the spray gun 3 previously referred to is shown in Figure 3. It is so positioned as to direct a, spray of hot lard on the bottom of the table 2 and the bottoms of the spouts I and plungers 3 while they are approaching the manifold 4.

The can feeding mechanism A. the filling mechanism B, and the filled can discharge mechanism intimed relation by a motor I23. The driving connections are shown schematically in Figure 14 and reference to this figure in connection with the illustrations of the preferred apparatus structure willbe helpful in considering the driving mechanism. The motor I23 (shown in Figure 2) is connected by a pulley and belt drive I24 to a shaft I25 journaled as at I28 in a gear housing I21. The shaft I25 is adapted to be connected through a main control clutch I28 to a shaft I29 journaled in the housing In as at I30 and I3I. Fast with the shaft I2! is a worm I32 meshing with a worm wheel I33 which drives a vertical shaft I34 overload release clutch I34a. Fast to the upper end of the shaft I34 is a spiral gear I33 in mesh with a spiral gear I33 secured to a horizontal shaft I31 to which is secured one sprocket I38 for driving the discharge chain 35.

For driving the discharge transfer turret 3I, a gear I30 fast on the shaft I34 meshes with a gear I40 secured to the discharge turret shaft 32.

The main or filling turret 21 and the filling pivoted on the frame I0 as at through a safety or v 

